@bar_rosa_southbrisbane. I consider myself a regular here, and I suspect the amazing staff do too.
My usual go-to dish is the carbonara, but today I ordered something different and Iām genuinely excited to write about it.
Besides the carbonara, my favourite starter is the croquette, and today it was filled with friarielli and fontina. Perks of being a regular: the team knows the salami and parmigiana croquettes are my absolute favourite, and they quietly pulled the last few from the kitchen just for me.
At this point I might need to start a movement; if enough people request the salami and parmigiana croquette, perhaps it will make the permanent menu. š
Starters: The croquettes were spicy, salty and crisp without being too thick. The sauce was a perfect mix of herbs and cream.
Next we had the fried artichokes with whipped ricotta and salsa verde. Beautiful, delicate, savoury with a bright finish.
The Italian style meatballs in tomato sugo with crispy polenta and parmigiano was exactly how I imagine Nonna would make them. I suspect they add a hint of sugar to round out those ripe tomatoes.
Mains: The pasta of the day; Orecchiette with lamb ragu and white wine sauce. Fresh and flavourful yet surprisingly light, with a really good mouthfeel. The white wine sauce was nice and creamy with the carrot from the holy trinity shining through.
The veal saltimbocca with semolina gnocchi, spinach and white wine sauce was excellent. It was hard to believe the gnocchi was flour-based; I was convinced it was potato at first. Complex but not too rich, and a perfect partner for the veal.
I loved both main dishes. But wanted the veal to be my last bite.